Part 5/8:
Unfortunately, Athens exemplified the consequences of a disengaged citizenry. The democratic state, recognized as a model of polity, struggled to find both an adept leader and a knowledgeable public willing to support him. Socrates himself fell victim to this dynamic, executed in 399 BC after the Assembly accused him of corrupting the youth. This marked the beginning of a century characterized by political missteps and the elevation of demagogues—leaders who thrived on popularity rather than merit.